Plain English Breakdown
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HF4080 • 2026
Certain retailers prohibited from obtaining an ownership interest in livestock dealers or meat packing companies, and certain exclusive contracts prohibited.
Certain retailers prohibited from obtaining an ownership interest in livestock dealers or meat packing companies, and certain exclusive contracts prohibited.
Agriculture
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-04-07
House
Author added Clardy
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2026-03-26
House
Authors added Finke and Agbaje
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2026-03-25
House
Authors added Xiong, Pursell, and Liebling
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2026-03-23
House
Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to State Government Finance and Policy
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2026-03-09
House
Introduction and first reading, referred to Agriculture Finance and Policy
Official Summary Text
Certain retailers prohibited from obtaining an ownership interest in livestock dealers or meat packing companies, and certain exclusive contracts prohibited.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
A bill for an act relating to agriculture; prohibiting certain retailers from obtaining an ownership interest in livestock dealers or meat packing companies; prohibiting certain exclusive contracts; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17A.03, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 17A. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17A.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: new text begin Subd. 17. new text end new text begin Dominant retailer. new text end new text begin "Dominant retailer" means an entity that: new text end new text begin (1) is primarily engaged in the sale of meat at retail; new text end new text begin (2) has annual retail sales exceeding $18,000,000,000, as adjusted each year for inflation by multiplying that amount by the cumulative inflation rate as determined by the United States Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers; and new text end new text begin (3) has at least one retail location or distribution center located in at least 20 states, including Minnesota. new text end Sec. 2. new text begin [17A.075] PROHIBITED OWNERSHIP INTERESTS AND EXCLUSIVE CONTRACTS. new text end new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Ownership interests and exclusive contracts. new text end new text begin (a) A dominant retailer must not directly or indirectly own, acquire, or otherwise obtain any ownership interest in a livestock dealer or meat packing company. new text end new text begin (b) A dominant retailer must not enter into an exclusive contract with any livestock dealer or meat packing company that requires the livestock dealer or meat packing company to sell their product exclusively to the dominant retailer. new text end new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Certification. new text end new text begin By January 1, 2028, all dominant retailers doing business in Minnesota must certify whether the dominant retailer is in compliance with subdivision 1. A dominant retailer not in compliance with subdivision 1 by January 1, 2028, may request an extension from the commissioner. The commissioner may provide an extension for 180 days for a dominant retailer to be in compliance, provided that the dominant retailer shows a good faith effort in its attempts to be in compliance. To qualify for an extension, a dominant retailer must submit a divestiture plan to the commissioner, in the form approved by the commissioner, for each livestock dealer or meat packing company in which the dominant retailer has an ownership interest. new text end new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Preliminary determination, public comment, enforcement, and penalties. new text end new text begin (a) Beginning August 1, 2027, the attorney general must consult with the commissioner and the commissioner of commerce to assess potential violations of this section and to determine which retailers meet the definition of a dominant retailer. By September 1, 2027, the attorney general must publish a preliminary list of retailers that meet the definition of a dominant retailer. new text end new text begin (b) Beginning September 15, 2027, the attorney general must allow retailers to submit information to rebut the retailer's listing on the attorney general's preliminary list. To submit information, the retailer must submit an oath that the information submitted is accurate and signed under penalty of perjury by an individual authorized to sign on behalf of the retailer. The attorney general must allow the public to submit information on any dominant retailer acting in violation of this section. new text end new text begin (c) Beginning January 1, 2028, an action to enforce this section may be brought by the attorney general in the name of the state on behalf of the commissioner for injunctive relief or civil penalties. A dominant retailer found to be in violation of this section may be subject to a civil penalty of $25,000 for each day a dominant retailer violates this section. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin Subdivision 1 is effective January 1, 2028. new text end